Rear end traction

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elbarry

Active Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2013
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119
Car
2013 e250 amg cabriolet tip
On approaching the m6 today from a sliproad, long slow bend approaching 60mph and just about to straighten up the back end totally stepped out in a flash.
E250 cab 63 plate auto amg line.
Appreciate it was wet but was taking it relatively easy feathering the accelerator. Same speed as before in all previous cars I've had on that sliproad.
Not just a quick slip but totally side on. Quick reaction and after maybe 2 left to right corrections back in a straight line again.
Don't know how I never ended up in the barrier or field.
I know the traction ain't nothing to shout about but that took me totally by surprise. Tyres ain't new but not due for replacing neither. 19 inch with 275 30s fitted. Nexen

Anyone else not too impressed with the rear traction on the e class. To add every time i move off with slight steering wheel turn it spins also.
Not confident at all after today.
 
Glad you kept the car our of the barrier, I suspect your ditch finders contributed to your loss of traction.
 
When you say that the tyres aren't at fault, what is your tread depth ?

Anything less than 4mm can, IMO, get a bit 'twitchy' - especially in the wet and 60mph won't help.
 
Tyres are not due but getting close to markers so think a new pair to be safe.
If put it down to the wide tyres and slippy roads. Trust me 60 is fine for the very slow bend, prob closer to 55 to be fair. As soon as I straightened out a little it went.
 
Probably something like diesel on the surface.
 
Didn't notice esp kick in but I assume it must have played its part. Lots of quick crossing arms seemed to keep the twitchy bottom settled.
Reminded me if years old in mk2 escort harrier and 131 racing fiats.
 
Probably something like diesel on the surface.

More like low tread (just above markers), wet surface and the throttle being put down too early ( it went when straightening after the bend rather than at the apex).

I'm sure we've all been there :)
 
I had a Chevette do a 180 with me at the wheel going round a wet island - finding yourself facing the oncoming traffic isn't fun :eek:.
 
When I said just above markers they're not near level maybe 2mm or so over and only serviced last month and advised tyres were fine.
No throttle when it went at all just constant throttle and straightening up slowly. Owned quite a few quick rear drive cars in my youth e30 m3, 944 s2, 131 racing, chev hsr, but never as loose at the rear. Even all those years ago.
Today was prob a bit of everything against me. Greasy wet etc.
however the merc slips in the dry too every morning turning off the drive no natter how steady. Too much torque IMO possibly against the design. Only got 10k out if the original rear contis and they slipped everywhere too.
 
Mind you I used to carry a bag of cement around in the boot of those cars to help keep the back down. :)
 
Maybe you just need lighter shoes :)

My E Coupe now is in need of new rears as it's getting a bit twitchy in poorer conditions under load. Conti 5s with just under 20k miles on them.

You are right - these diesels kick out a ****load of torque. Not that far behind my old S500 V8 petrol !!!
 
Agree with the tread depth thing, Just because they're classed as legal doesn't mean that they're good. I have nearly 4mm left on my rears but they're nothing like they were when new and will be changed as soon as I get a chance. (can be bothered)

As for the tyre manufacturer which you mention, I know not a lot about them, though I am surprised that you have them on a 63 plated car. I assumed that they were a budget type tyre...
 
Tyres came with the 19 inch wheels and I always intended on replacing them just not so soon
However new set being fitted this week. Always liked kuhmo ecstas so may look for some reviews on them for wet.
 
I ran the Kuhmos on my S500. Decent tyre, good value.

I'm planning on buying Conti 5s again ........
 
Wonder if there is an alignment problem at back from a bent link from hitting a kerb at some point in past.

Are those rear tyre treads wearing evenly across the whole width of each tyre ?
 
Owned the car since new 9 mths ago no kerbs drive like a saint. The car really drives like a dream all of the time. Unless the roads are wet...!
Just greasy road and poor stupidly & hugely wide 275/30/19 tyres with 50% tread wear
To be honest tyre wear very even. Not a big fan of rear wheel drive in the merc autos. Prefer front wheel drive but just loved the car for everything else.
Will be very careful on tyre choice and wet driving from now on. Had a few tweaks on exiting roundabouts but nothing like that the other day.
To add that an old transit van was next to me all the way through the slip road and had no issues at all, same speed same bend. The only issue he had was slamming his brakes on when I went sideways then containing himself as he passed me being the colour of boiled sheister.
 

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Mercs can be extremely sensitive to the right tyre choice. I had an old heavy 1999 C240 and the only time I was really happy with wet weather handling was switching to Kleber Quadraxer All Season tyres. Going to switch on my W204 which hasn't done that many miles ready for autumn weather, though to be fair the handling is significantly better.

Wide tyres in the wet is always going to be a problem. Going back to my first car, it was a Citroen GS 1222cc and in the wet it could beat an XR3i every time in handling due to the incredibly skinny tyres 145SR15s.
 

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